Forever Secure

A life truly lived by faith…

is an adventure none of us can afford to miss this side of eternity…

it's where the real excitement is…where the deepest joy of hope is experienced…

it's where destiny perfectly unfolds whilst we abandon ourselves to simply trusting…

refusing to settle for what's comfortable…secure…familiar…ordinary…

 striving instead…for the unknown…the impossible…the dangerous…

…leaving behind all that we've ever relied upon…

risking absolutely everything…

in order to be truly secure…

A leap-of-faith BW.jpg

Running on Reserves

I'm really bad when it comes to refilling my petrol tank on time…I see that orange light flashing, informing me that I need to refuel - and most often than not, although it completely registers in my mind…I still find myself waiting another 15 miles or so before I actually fill up my petrol tank again.  Now if I was doing this occasionally then haaaay it's not really a big deal - I'm sure my motor could cope with my negligence and wouldn't really be affected…but you see I'm doing this on the regs, despite knowing full well that the reserve fuel is there to keep the low pressure pump cool and prevent it from overheating…yet nevertheless I'm ignoring the warning signs and seeing how long I can wing it before I REALLY REALLY need to refuel.  So basically, because of my laziness and negligence I'm totally mashing up my fuel pump in the long run - which ultimately will end up costing me dearly, unless I sort it out and start refueling on time!  Hmmm…note to self…fix up missy…smiles.

We sometimes do the very same with the presence of God.

Image from: http://wallpaperswa.com 

Image from: http://wallpaperswa.com

 

We get internal warnings that we're running on empty…whether it's because things have got really busy, or because we're distracted or anxious…maybe because we're tired and demotivated…or simply because we're just being plain old lazy about spending quality time drinking from the well of God's presence…whatever the reason may be, the fact is that we're operating on an empty tank…we're not tanked up with the joy and peace and hope and creativity that can only truly be birthed in God's presence…and so we're running on reserves and often times seeing how long we can wing it…some run on reserves for a day…some do it for a week or a month and some even do it as a lifestyle…

Soooo…instead of practicing the habit of being refueled in God regularly so that we can truly operate at our best…we sometimes allow ourselves to settle for the reserves, rather than the irreplaceable refreshing that can only be found in the fullness of God's presence…somehow convincing ourselves that running on reserves will be sufficient…thinking a weekly worship service or corporate prayer here and there…will keep us afloat…but just like with my motor…even though I might think I've gotten away with it because I managed to get petrol, in the nick of time, before the car broke down - I still don't actually have any idea of what's happening behind the scenes deep inside the core of my car and I probably won't find out til later the actual damage that my lack of discipline and negligence has caused…and so it sometimes is with us…we choose to learn the hard way…sometimes it takes a break down…a disaster…an internal explosion or some sort of soul revealing encounter to show us how desperately dry we have become.

Because you see, running on reserves may for a time seem sufficient…but sufficiency isn't abundance…and we are called to lives of abundancy (John 10:10)…and in no other area is abundance more significant than in regards to the Presence…for out of the presence flows EVERY SINGLE THING pertaining to LIFE (Ezekiel 47).

So let's not compromise…let's not settle for less…let's not drink with a straw from the dregs of the barrel when we have the entire ocean at our disposal…

…Let’s determine in our hearts to take a trip down to the river each day.

Anticipating the adventure...

Okay sooooooooooo I have no money...seriously none...my savings have run out...hehehe...and I don't know what tomorrow is going to bring!!  I have no idea where I am heading and having left the security of a full time job three months ago...I do not actually have a pay check coming in any time soon...hahahaha...

In the middle of this hoo haa credit crunch this nation seems to be involved in...there I am still not looking for work...or even considering working for anybody ever again...hmmmm...anyhoo...left, right and centre, I'm hearing about all the price increases...the petrol...the budget cuts...the doom and gloom...sighs galore...

Obviously if I didn't know God as my Source I’d too be kaking myself...if you don't know God you should be worried...however because I do know God and His Faithfulness...I'm expectant...and confident...so I am about to go for it with my fun lil business venture (http://www.livinginlight.co.uk/) by launching the next collection (during the next few hours...expect an email...woohoo) rather than do something safe and secure...

I am quite aware that because my savings have now totally been rinsed I have nothing to fall back on if the business doesn't work...or if the workshops I want to start up don't kick off...in the natural it would seem that I'll have NOTHING!  Hahahaha...

BRILLIANT ISN'T IT???!

I KNOW!!! I've totally been pondering my position of seemingly having nothing...reflecting upon the last few incredible months of my life...marvelling at my recent adventure of taking all that I have had in my hands and known in my heart and having sown it to the best of my ability...reminiscing over the last three months...just loving the joy of waking up each day in a bubble of leisurely bliss...spending time in worship, enjoying the freedom of just being...without structure or direction in my life yet being the most productive I have EVER been...creating day after day...writing...drawing...designing and sewing...breaking and mending things...building and constructing...growing and flourishing...investing and re-investing into all that I can see in my hands...all with a passion and resolution unlike anything I have ever known...

Sigh...and now I have done all that I can for now...sown all that is in my hands...I have prayed...I have believed...and I have joyfully exhausted it all...and now it would seem I have NOTHING left...smiles...

As I write this I smile...hahaha...because despite me having the time of my life over the last three months...this is actually where the real fun begins...this place of me having nothing left in my hands...this here is the ultra cool part...this is when I sit back because I've done all I can...hoping that I have been faithful with what small I was given, and now all that remains is for me to watch the next phase of the adventure kick in...the beauty of destiny unfolding exceedingly abundantly above anything I could ever ask or imagine...deliciously unwrapping before my very eyes...whatever it might me...maybe it will be the website or it won't...maybe the workshops...maybe the other things God's put in my heart...may be He'll tell me to get a job working for some one...I dunno...I really don't...I just know that it's gonna be good...whatever it's gonna be...it's gonna be really really good...

Hahahaha...to me that's totally what adventurous living is all about...xx

A little bit of fun from the new Living in Light Jewellery range. x

A little bit of fun from the new Living in Light Jewellery range. x

Jun Ai...True Love

Soooooooooooo I went to the House of Lords to see a Film screening...An Angel Award winning Japanese film called Jun Ai...obviously I made sure I looked half decent seeing as I wanted to look nice for all the Lords, Earls and Ladies...and at the same time I wanted to avoid getting arrested or raising any suspicions...i'm serious...smiles...the amount of police presence at Parliment always makes me think they'll arrest someone just to kill time...its funny how there's always far more police than visitors...but don't ya just love our uniformed angels...always without fail soooo polite and cute...bless our nations 5.O!!!

Sooooo this film Jun Ai...Oh me gosh...definitely a fab watch...set in the 40's in China when Japan invaded them and the Chinese were mistreated by the Japanese military hardcore...but there were Japanese refugees that fled to China for safety who then had to deal with the hatred of the Chinese...anyhoo the film looks at the relationship between a Chinese man and Japanese woman and how true love overcomes everything...a real heart-warming story which also raises awareness about childbirth and the poor conditions in which babies are delivered around the world...seriously moving...thought provoking for sure!

 Keiko Kobayasi

 

Keiko Kobayasi

See the thing was this though...it wasn't the film so much that moved me...but the heart behind it... Keiko Kobayasi, the woman who produced the film also starred in it...and we met the entire cast who were promoting the film...obviously people promote their films...but they were doing so, not from a place of selfish gain but as a vessel to promote peace across nations...wow...they were truly seeking to promote JUN AI...True love...man...that enlarged my heart...this lovely lady is going around the world with this beautiful story that she used her talents and gifts to make and star in and now she is using her compassion, gift of communication and sheer determination to use the film as a platform for world peace...and she's not even in a beauty pageant!!  (Not that she couldn't be - she's pretty darn beautiful).

Not only that but Jun Ai is actually a charity that helps children - many schools around the Far East have been built from the proceeds from this film!!  It's mental!!  Soooo beautiful!   And as I sat there in the House of Lords I was so touched by the humanitarian spirit and generosity of all those involved...people that want to be a blessing...want to see the world become a better place...people that have used their position, wealth and heart to find the best surroundings...the best platform and most suited connections to raise both awareness and well needed funds to help someone...

Common enough in the Christian world...yes...but the reason I was touched is because faith did not even come into it...this wasn't a Christian charity but a humanitarian one (even though I realise that it is the love of God in you that drives you to be good to others whether you know Him or not)...it was people that didn't know God wanting to reach out in love!!  Sometimes as Christians we can think that its only in a Christian capacity that compassion can truly be effective...but I was struck by the good will and empathy of these beautiful souls who have not yet even truly encountered a heavenly LOVE but out of what they have they gave...beautiful...beautiful...beautiful!!

Definitely a thought provoking experience for me...one I welcome...anything that humbles me and keeps my heart in check is much needed cause you know how that yucky pride creeps in if you don't keep reminding yourself of the amazing goodness in others!! If you want to find out more about this beautiful art movement and how you can donate to the JUN AI organisation contact the guys at The Wisdom Trust who are their contact in the UK...at: http://www.wisdom4all.co.uk/

In terms of life pour moi...well what can I say...it's exactly three months today since I left my job as a teacher and the joy just continues to knock me out...its scandalous...still totally on the creative flex...filling up my days with making...writing...thinking...being...  loving...delicious delicious days of discovery!!  The new collection should be on line soon so check out http://www.livinginlight.co.uk/ over the next few weeks to see the fun stuff I've put on there and yes feel free to go ahead and buy everything!!

xxx